Another of my ten words in Arabic.

[randomness]

واسْطة (wasta). It's kind of close to 关系 (guanxi), and kind of close to блат (blat).

That these languages all have a word for a similar and overlapping concept is significant, I think.

Comments

[woodwardiocom.livejournal.com]

Guanxi! I know that one! A relationship, through which things are accomplished ouside official channels, vaguely akin to American "networking".

[stolen-tea.livejournal.com]

Ah! "Suction"!

[dirque.livejournal.com]

When I try to explain guanxi, I focus on the unspoken obligations and rights of a relationship. E.g. how the SO automatically is assumed to have shotgun when riding a car. But with everyone about a multitude of things.